Horse Show 2008

The show was a great success, the weather held and the turnout was very good and up on the last two years. But only one week before the show the fields were still standing waiting to be cut for our winter forage of haylage. Sadly we have lost the lot to silage as we had no option but to cut and bale within 24 hours. So all funds from the show will go replacing what we have lost at a premium, No Doubt.

The show seemed to run without too many gliches, we must be getting better at the organising, and again good responses from competitors and spectators which is always nice to have. The only slight problem was first thing in the morning when one of the first lorries to arrive, having taken a slightly misjudged angle coming through the gate, getting a back wheel stuck in a ditch, which resulted in having to be rescued by our rather ancient old tractor, Fred.


Our patron Stan Mellor enjoyed judging the two racehorse classes with the knowledgeable help of World Horse Welfare (ILPH) officer Jeff Herrington and his wife Mary with Lyndsy Opperman changing from Judge to steward. Happily there were no similarities to the start of the grand national.

The winner of the Ex-Racehorse Show Class was...

1st Becky Hunt on Gordys Joy
2nd Emma Powne on Fleur Des Pres
3rd Carly Warren on Bassano
4th Davina Hardiman on Hunters Pudding

5th Nandini McCulloch on Red Lion
6th Neil Ransford on Storm Damage

Becky Hunt also took the Performance class
1st Becky Hunt on Gordys Joy
2nd Emma Powne on Fleur Des Pres

3rd Lauren Denman on Paddy My Man
4th Davina Hardiman on Hunters Pudding
5th Jessica North on Plenty of Roses

The Mini Show Jumping was yet again judged for the third year in a row, with great success, by Chrissie Moore and her happy band of helpers. Apparently the lack of a starting bell caused some entertainment, as Kate improvised with a verbal "DING DING" as each competitor entered the school. With an abundance of toys and sweets to choose from as prizes there were quite a few happy children and happy parents. We are very grateful to Helen Goddard Watts for gifting the mountain of toys as prizes.

At the end of the day Carrick Troop came out to try his hand at a bit of show jumping ridden by Dawn, past rider of the lovely Korakor when he was in training and work rider for Ian Williams. After a few attempts at the scary fillers he eventually took everything in his stride, even the double and the WALL.

"Racehorses, Where?"

" Well I suppose there could be
worse places to be abandoned"

"I swear I only put him on a cool wash cycle"

As always we are eternally grateful to all our volunteers who helped on the day and who made our 3rd event a well received success. Lynne, Nickie, Mark, Louise B, Jordie, Meg, Ross, David, Max, Shawn, Ian, Chrissie, Louise, Juliet, Eileen, Paul, Andy, Neil, Jo, Emma, Kate, Nick, Jill, Hannah, Lyn, Anne, Heidi, Amber, Lyndsy, Louise H, Sally and Dawn. If I've missed anyone out I apologize profusely.

Also a Huge thank you to all our sponsors without whom we could not even consider an event like this.

Mr. Donald Biss – Don Biss Transport Services - Chard

T. P. Timber Products - Chard

Ian & Jean Stanford

Matrix Bathrooms- Chard

Impey Projects - Ilton

J. B. Wheaton & Sons - Chard

J. Holleran – Civil Engineering

P. R. Church – Motor Repairs - Chard

Matthew Farrow - M. C. Motors

C. Smith – Victoria Garage – Chard

MOT Testing, cars, Light Commercial Fitted, Services & Repairs.vehicles & Minibuses. Tyres Supplied &

Mr R T Jones – Sidney Phillips - Ilminster

Brecknell Willis Composites Ltd - Chard

Isle Valley Equine Clinic- Eleighwater - Chard

C.M.E Ltd – Combe St Nicholas

White’s Fish & Chip Shop - Chard

Paul Dunning - Farrier

Mrs. Lynne Jones

Jill Acheson- Beeches Farm Bed & Breakfast

T.J. Harris – Grabkan - Chard

Mary Harris

Riverside Repairs

Keith Shier

Country Wide Feeds – Crewkerne

Mr E Wey

Jeff & Lynn Day

P.S. Marsden – Sheafhayne Garage

Staff of Doncasters Chard Team

Lance Wallis – Joiner & Joinery Installer - Chard